Summer Car Care Tips: Preparing Your Vehicle for the Summer

While you’re digging out your sunglasses and preparing for summer, it’s important to remember your car also needs to be ready. As your CDJR dealership, we want you to know some of the summer car care checks we provide to keep your vehicle in great shape for the heat.

Coolant Check

Coolant is one of the most important fluids in your vehicle. It’s pumped through the engine at high speed to absorb engine heat. The now hot coolant enters the radiator, where the heat is removed by heat exchange with the outside air. Heat removal is essential to keep your engine working safely and efficiently, as excessively high engine temperatures can damage vital components.

Over time, the coolant absorbs dirt, rust particles, and other minute debris during its travels through the engine. The accumulated junk causes the coolant to move more slowly, reducing its effectiveness and causing the engine temperature to rise. We’ll test the coolant and replace it if necessary to ensure it keeps your engine temperature under control in the summer sun.

Tire Inflation Checks

Correct tire inflation reduces wear and tear on the tread, increasing your tire’s lifespan. The right pressure for each of your tires is listed in your vehicle handbook. You can also find this information on a sticker or plate on the inside doorjamb of the front passenger door. Tire pressure will drop if a tire leaks, but it will naturally increase as the temperature rises.

Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). For every 10°F rise in temperature, the pressure inside each tire will naturally rise by 1 to 2 PSI as the pressure in the tires tries to equalize with the external pressure. This increase, coupled with the pressure inside the tires increasing as the air inside them heats up while you drive, could cause a blowout. Our technicians will examine your tires and adjust their pressure if required.

AC Check

No one wants to drive with an AC on the fritz in summer. Like all other systems, your AC requires regular maintenance to keep it working at its best. Parts will inevitably age and wear out, and this can prevent the AC from delivering the crisp, cold air you need to take the edge off the heat.

We’ll examine and test all the AC components to ensure they’re working correctly. We also check the refrigerant level and test the pressure in the AC. Low pressure or lack of refrigerant could indicate a leak that needs to be found and sealed.

Book your service today and get your Chrysler ready for summer. Contact our service department at Madison Chrysler Inc. in Madison, CT.

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